Matt Skole to miss three to four months following Tommy John surgery

First baseman/outfielder Matt Skole, the Nationals’ fourth-ranked prospect, is expected to miss three to four months after undergoing successful Tommy John surgery, general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters in Miami.

Skole was injured on a freak play at first base in a game with Double-A Harrisburg last week when his non-throwing arm was hit by a runner. He fractured his wrist on the play. A second examination revealed the torn ligament (UCL) in his left arm. He had surgery early Wednesday.

Rizzo told reporters Skole might be able to return to Harrisburg by the end of the season. He could then play in the Arizona Fall League and possibly winter ball. He ended up playing only two games to begin this season.

Skole hit 27 homers and had 104 RBIs last season, earning the fifth-rounder out of Georgia Tech Nats minor league Player of the Year honors.